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Go Green. Save Money. Guaranteed!Thu, 30 Jul 2015 11:00:25 +0000en-UShourly1If You Don’t Have a Rain Barrel, You’re Losing Water and Moneyhttp://www.biggreenpurse.com/if-you-dont-have-a-rain-barrel-youre-losing-water-and-money/
http://www.biggreenpurse.com/if-you-dont-have-a-rain-barrel-youre-losing-water-and-money/#commentsThu, 30 Jul 2015 11:00:25 +0000http://www.biggreenpurse.com/?p=7672Rain barrels have been popping up all over my neighborhood lately. I live in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., and water is expensive here. It can also be scarce in the summer, especially in the hot months of July and August, when flowers are in full bloom and trees and bushes are supposed to […]

Rain barrels have been popping up all over my neighborhood lately. I live in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., and water is expensive here.

It can also be scarce in the summer, especially in the hot months of July and August, when flowers are in full bloom and trees and bushes are supposed to be growing.

None of that happens if the plants don’t get enough water. In fact, I’ve had a lot of vegetables, azaleas, hydrangeas and even hundred-year-old oak trees die for lack of moisture.

Why Rain Barrels?

We’ve turned to rain barrels for three reasons:

1) They’re a free way to collect water.

2) They reduce our water bill.

3) They reduce run-off and help manage storm drain and sewer overflow.

How Does a Rain Barrel Work?

→ A rain barrel is a big barrel, usually a 55 gallon drum made from heavy duty plastic or wood, that collects and stores rainwater from a roof.

→ The barrel is attached to a gutter that drains water off a roof. So, rather than all the water draining down into the gutter then out into your yard or the street, it drains into a barrel you can use whenever you need water.

→ A lid keeps mosquitoes and debris out.

→ A hose connects to the bottom of the barrel to make it easy to drain the water out.

You can install a rain barrel at each corner of your house, a garage, a shed, a barn, or any other structure with a roof. This one my neighbor installed blends completely into his garden.

How Much Will a Rain Barrel Save You?

The U.S. EPA says rain barrels can save most homeowners about 1,300 gallons of water during the peak summer months.

Lawn and garden watering make up nearly 40% of total household water use during the summer, so using a rain barrel to get water for free is pretty much a no-brainer.

Plus, capturing rain water from your gutters rather than letting it flow aimlessly onto your property or into storm drains significantly reduces the impact of runoff into streams.

A rain barrel is an easy way to get clean, fresh water to use outdoors for free.

Where Can You Get a Rain Barrel?

Of course, we sell rain barrels in our very own Big Green Purse store on Amazon. Here are three we like:

Most hardware stores and stores with gardening departments sell rain barrels, including Ace, Lowe’s, Home Depot and WalMart. You can also find them online if you search “where to buy rain barrels.”

Gardener’s Supply sells options that include a double barrel system with the couplings you need for your hoses. Plow & Hearth sells a beautiful terra cotta urn whose top serves as a decorative planter to hold flowers.

Rain barrels can cost over $100, and upwards of $200 or more. You’ll eventually save that money on your water bill. But you can also make your own water barrel. Care2 shows you how here.

]]>http://www.biggreenpurse.com/if-you-dont-have-a-rain-barrel-youre-losing-water-and-money/feed/06 Ways to Save $20 – $50 Every Month on Gasolinehttp://www.biggreenpurse.com/6-ways-to-save-20-50-every-month-on-gasoline/
http://www.biggreenpurse.com/6-ways-to-save-20-50-every-month-on-gasoline/#commentsWed, 17 Jun 2015 17:54:20 +0000http://www.biggreenpurse.com/?p=7351Most people wouldn’t put a pile of money on their driveway and set it on fire. But when you drive, you’re essentially burning money. Regardless of whether gas prices are high or low, because we’re traveling more, we’re all burning more money via our gas tanks than ever before. It doesn’t have to be that way. You can save […]

Most people wouldn’t put a pile of money on their driveway and set it on fire. But when you drive, you’re essentially burning money. Regardless of whether gas prices are high or low, because we’re traveling more, we’re all burning more money via our gas tanks than ever before. It doesn’t have to be that way. You can save $20 – $50 every month on gasoline by following these six steps.

1) Drive LESS. How? Walk, especially if you’re traveling distances less than a mile and don’t need to carry heavy loads. Bike. More than half of all commuting trips are 5 miles or less in length, a distance easily covered by two wheels rather than four. Scoot, with an electric scooter that costs far less to charge than it does to fuel up a car with gas. Get organized, so you can combine trips and chores rather than going back and forth to do them. Pay your bills and shop online. That includes using grocery delivery services if they’re available in your area. Carpool. Share the drive and share the bill. Avoid rush hour. Telecommute, go to work early and leave early, or look for other ways to avoid the worst times of the day to be in a car. Because when you’re just sitting in traffic, you’re just burning money.

2) Drive SMART. What does “smart” mean? More or less, it’s what you learned when you took driving lessons all those years ago before you even got your driver’s license. Start with the speed limit. Stick to it. The U.S. Department of Energy says that every 5 mph you drive above 50 mph can lower gas mileage by 7% or more. That could amount to as much as $.52 a gallon! Slow down a little and put the money in the bank. Plus, turn the car off rather than idle. Idling gets zero miles per gallon; if that’s not a waste of gas and money, I don’t know what is! Don’t be a “jackrabbit” and speed up only to have to slow down in between stop signs and traffic signals. As for tailgating, it can cost you 1-2 percent in fuel efficiency. What a waste.

3) Drive CHEAP. In most cases, your engine can tolerate the cheapest gas you can find. Get to know where gas costs less and buy yours there. The GasBuddy mobile app makes it easy to find the cheapest gas on your driving route every day. Don’t top off your tank. Not only will you waste money, but that “extra” evaporates pretty quickly, contributing to air pollution. Pay cash. It can be ten or twenty cents a gallon cheaper than paying by credit card. Use gas rewards programs. I earn gas points at my grocery store that I can use to lower the price I pay at the pump by ten, twenty and even thirty cents a gallon.

4) Drive IN TUNE. You’ll improve your gas mileage by an average of 4.1 percent when you get a tune up. Most cars need an oil change every 3,000 – 5,000 miles, too. If that’s too frequent for you, join Groupon, Living Social, or another social shopping site. You’ll find many affordable tune-up and oil change promotions that cut the service costs significantly. While you’re at it, replace air filters regularly to get another 10 percent gain in fuel efficiency. Checking the oxygen sensor is smart, too. That’s the engine’s fuel control feedback loop. Repairing one that’s faulty could benefit your gas mileage as much as 40 percent.

5) Drive PUMPED UP. Gas mileage will improve by around 3.3 percent if you keep your tires properly inflated. Check your owner’s manual for appropriate inflation levels. You can buy a tire pressure gauge at your local hardware store and check your tires each time the seasons change. Then fill up your tires when you get gas.

6) Drive a GAS STRETCHER. Drive the most fuel-efficient vehicle that meets your transportation needs as well as your budget. If you’re in a family with two cars, use the one that gets the most mpg for the majority of your trips. If you’re in the market for a new car, check the rebates and tax incentives available to encourage people to purchase hybrids and electric cars, rather than those that depend exclusively on fossil fuels.

All of these actions can add up to big savings. An added benefit? Using less gas is a lot better for the environment, since burning gasoline contributes to air pollution, climate change and smog.

]]>http://www.biggreenpurse.com/6-ways-to-save-20-50-every-month-on-gasoline/feed/0Find & Fix Leaky Faucets & Toilets Before Drips Drain Your Wallethttp://www.biggreenpurse.com/fix-leaky-faucets/
http://www.biggreenpurse.com/fix-leaky-faucets/#commentsMon, 16 Mar 2015 01:28:29 +0000http://www.biggreenpurse.com/?p=6609How much money are your leaky faucets and toilets costing you? And how much water are they wasting? I asked Karen Wirth, the education and outreach coordinator for EPA’s WaterSense program, why we should bother to fix leaky faucets when it can be such a pain, and expensive, too, if you need to call a […]

How much money are your leaky faucets and toilets costing you? And how much water are they wasting?

I asked Karen Wirth, the education and outreach coordinator for EPA’s WaterSense program, why we should bother to fix leaky faucets when it can be such a pain, and expensive, too, if you need to call a plumber. Here’s what she had to say (and I think it’s pretty convincing):

You might be able put up with the occasional drip-drip-drip after you turn off the water from your morning shower. Or think nothing of having to jiggle the handle after you flush to quiet your old toilet.

But these easy-to-fix leaks could be wasting more than 10,000 gallons of water each year—what you use to wash 270 loads of laundry—and worse yet, adding 10 percent to your water bill.

Maybe you’re intimidated by the thought of tackling leaks at home, or think it will be expensive. But in many cases, repairs don’t require a major investment or a plumbing license.

Take toilets, for example. Leaks are usually easy to hear. You can also identify silent leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank at the back of your toilet. Wait 10 minutes. If color appears in the bowl, you have a leak. (Make sure you flush afterward to avoid staining!)

In many cases, a rotting or faulty rubber toilet flapper is the culprit, and can be easily purchased for a few dollars at any hardware store and installed without tools. A running or broken toilet may be a larger problem and may require a licensed plumber; HomeAdvisor estimates that hiring a plumber to fix a toilet can cost $120 to $190.

But if you take into account the fact that a running toilet can waste as much as 21,600 gallons of water per month and cost your family more than $2,000 extra in annual water charges, that’s a small time and money investment for the payback. Consider using the Green Plumbers® locator to find a professional who has completed accreditation training in environmental issues and water-efficient technology.

EPA’s Fix a Leak Week

To inspire you to spring into action to make your home leak-free, EPA’s WaterSense® program has declared March 16 through 22, 2015, Fix a Leak Week. Here are three easy steps you can take this week to make leaks less of a drain on our natural resources—and YOUR Green Purse:

1. Check.Start your leak check by looking at your January or February water bill. If your winter monthly use was higher than 12,000 gallons for a family of four, you probably have a serious leak. You can also check your water meter (it’s usually outside the house) before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the reading has changed, something’s leaking.

2. Twist. Over the course of a year, a faucet that’s leaking just one drip per second can waste the amount of water needed to take more than 180 showers! Twist and tighten pipe connections with a wrench, or use pipe tape to seal where showerheads are shedding. To save even more water without a noticeable difference in flow, twist on a WaterSense labeled faucet aerator in your bathroom.

3. Replace.If you can’t fix the leaks with your own DIY skills, it might be time to replace the fixture. Look for the WaterSense label (above left) associated with toilets, showerheads, and bathroom sink faucets and accessories that are independently certified to use at least 20 percent less water and perform as well as or better than standard models. That means you won’t waste time double-flushing or waiting for a weak spray to wash your hair.

Need more inspiration? Visit the WaterSense website to learn more about how to find and fix leaks or watch this simple animated short video. And if you do take the plunge and repair a leaky fixture, tweet a photo with #IFixLeaks to show your skills at saving water and money!

Karen Wirth is EPA’s WaterSense education and outreach coordinator. She has worked in a variety of program areas at EPA, focusing for the past 17 years on water issues.

]]>http://www.biggreenpurse.com/fix-leaky-faucets/feed/010 Ways Green Living Seniors Save Moneyhttp://www.biggreenpurse.com/green-living-seniors/
http://www.biggreenpurse.com/green-living-seniors/#commentsFri, 16 Jan 2015 17:40:21 +0000http://www.biggreenpurse.com/?p=5249Green living can save anyone money, but for seniors facing retirement, going green is especially economical. Choosing an eco-friendly lifestyle can save literally hundreds if not thousands of dollars a year through simple steps that won’t crimp your style but definitely improve your life. And all that green living will help leave a healthier legacy for […]

Green living can save anyone money, but for seniors facing retirement, going green is especially economical. Choosing an eco-friendly lifestyle can save literally hundreds if not thousands of dollars a year through simple steps that won’t crimp your style but definitely improve your life. And all that green living will help leave a healthier legacy for future generations, too. Want the specifics? Here you go.

10 Ways Green Living Seniors Save Money

1) Energy – Green living seniors use less energy to heat, cool, light, and power their homes. That means they have taken steps to: insulate attics and crawl spaces; weatherstrip windows and doors; install curtains or blinds over windows on the north (cold) side of the house, and awnings and shades on the south (hot) side. Green living seniors also use a programmable thermostat to make it easy to automatically reduce energy consumption when they’re not home. This model, the Nest, is one option.

2) Water – Green living seniors don’t waste money buying bottled water, which ounce for ounce can cost 10,000 times more than tap water. Instead, they have made a one-time purchase of a water filter and fill their own reusable bottles and pitchers with filtered tap water. Depending on how much bottled water they previously bought, these smart seniors could be saving $10 or more a week.

3) Food – According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, most consumers throw away at least 30% of the food they buy because they forget about it and it spoils, or it passes its expiration date. Green seniors keep track of what’s in their fridge and pantry; find yummy ways to enjoy leftovers; and shop from grocery lists so they don’t buy too much in the first place. They also buy from the bulk bins, where they can buy as much or as little as they need and avoid the excess packaging that also drives up the price of our food.

4) Cars, Car/Van Pooling, and Car Sharing – Seniors living together who retire often find that they no longer need two cars, or don’t need their own car as much as before. It’s more economical to maintain and fuel only one car, and to take advantage of the van pools that many communities now offer their senior citizens. Plus, with the expansion of car sharing services like Zip Car, it is becoming much more convenient to share cars rather than maintain your own. This is particularly true with Zip Car. You pay an annual membership fee and an hourly use for the vehicle. But you don’t pay for insurance, gas or oil, new tires, or maintenance.

5) Bicycling – In retirement, seniors find they have more time and interest in bicycling for recreation or to get chores done. It’s a great oil-free, pollution-free way to get around town without having to spend money on gasoline, and of course, it will keep you in shape.

6) Mass Transit – Cities that have mass transit systems usually offer seniors big discounts for taking the bus or subway. Check with your municipality to see when the discount kicks in. In Washington, D.C., it’s age 65, but it could be as early as 60 or 62 where you live.

7) Downsize – Downsizing to a smaller home or apartment probably saves the most money on heating, cooling, and maintenance. The environmental benefits can’t be beat either, since a smaller dwelling has a smaller carbon footprint, and will use less water (fewer bathrooms? less lawn to water?) and require less “stuff” in terms of furnishings, paint, cleaning products and more.

8) Extra Care Communities – Rather than downsize to a smaller home, many seniors are opting to move into retirement communities which are already designed to save energy and other resources, and make it easy to bicycle or take van pools rather than drive. Some communities specialize in eco-friendly dwellings and offer their residents organic gardening options and opportunities to volunteer on green projects. Others maximize energy efficiency through wise construction practices, community design, and use of LED lights and water-saving appliances.

9) Travel – Green living seniors in the U.S. who have a sense of adventure can enjoy many opportunities to volunteer with the National Park Service or the National Wildlife Refuge System. In some parks, you can camp at low or no cost in exchange for volunteer services. If you put in 250 hours over the course of a year, you’ll earn a free annual pass to national parks and other wilderness and wildlife destinations. At the age of 62, for just $10, you can buy a lifetime pass that will gain you free entry to the nation’s national parks, wildlife refuges, and Bureau of Land Management public lands.

10) Library – Libraries offer seniors an absolutely free way to access almost any information you want. If you don’t have a computer, use one at the library. Rather than buy a book, borrow it. The same goes for movies and music. Plus, use the library to read your favorite magazines and newspapers. You’ll save money on the buying side, and do your part to cut back on the amount of paper that needs to be printed, since you’ll be sharing all these materials rather than owning them outright. If you have an e-reader, you can probably download a lot of what you want from the library’s website so you don’t have to make the visit there if you don’t want to.

]]>http://www.biggreenpurse.com/green-living-seniors/feed/0Go Green, Save Money. Here’s How!http://www.biggreenpurse.com/go-green-save-money/
http://www.biggreenpurse.com/go-green-save-money/#commentsSun, 04 May 2014 19:08:27 +0000http://192.185.4.160/~dmac52/?p=3511Are you one of those people who say, “I’d love to go green, but it costs too much money!”? On Earth Day, all of us here are sharing our stories so you know that just the opposite is true! My own experience is that going green actually saves me several thousand dollars a year while […]

Want even ore ideas to go green and save money? Here’s how a lot of people I know and respect are also saving money by being green:

Betsy at Eco-Novice offers very concrete ways to save money on products that otherwise increase your exposure to toxic chemicals. Her helpful post includes 6 switches she’s made that you can, too, including a switch from disposable plastic baggies to reusable food bags in food-safe fabrics in a variety of sizes, from snack to gallon.

Kristina of The Greening of Westford recommends using local libraries to borrow books and movies for kids and adults alike rather than go out and buy them brand new. Also, she says, if you do want to buy, drop in to your library’s book sales, where they generally sell used books at greatly reduced prices. Kristina notes that she brings the process full circle by donating the books she buys back to the library at some point so they can be re-sold again.

Brittney Gordon-Williams, Communications Manager for EPA’s ENERGY STAR products, ticks off some specific ways consumers can save money by saving energy. For example, did you know that ENERGY STAR certified LED light bulbs use 70-90% less energy and last 25x longer than your old incandescent bulbs?Or that enabling your computer and monitor’s power management fatures can save you up to $90 a year?Brittney invites you to check out My ENERGY STAR for more tips and energy-saving suggestions.

Beth from My Plastic Free Life has found many ways to save money by going plastic free. Of course, she saves a lot of money by using a refillable water bottle rather than buying bottled water, and she’s reused all kinds of glass jars for food storage, rather than by new plastic ones. She skips new plastic shampoo bottles and deodorant applicators by mixing up those products herself from baking soda and other ingredients, and then storing them in the same containers over and over.And she’s learned how to fix many things when they break rather than replace them – the ultimate money-saving strategy.

Anna at Green-Talk offers lots of useful ways to go green in the kitchen and save money, too. For example, “don’t forget to install an inexpensive aerator for your faucet to reduce your water usage as well as your bill,” she suggsts. Plus, “Don’t stop there. Plants need water? Water them with leftover cooking water or half drunken glasses of water.” Good idea!

At Groovy Green Livin’, Lori has a great list of “15 Ways to Be Green Without Spending a Dime.” One that has saved me a bundle over the years is her #14: “use Freecycle, Craigs List or other sites that have free stuff.” It’s all about reusing and keeping good stuff out of landfills,” she says. Amen to that!

Paige of Spit That Out the Book recommends using coupons from green companies to offset their costs. She provides a long list of green couponers, green coupon aggregators and flash sale sites, which was totally new to me.

Leigh Ann at Green4U offers this unique suggestion to save money and go green, too: Invite friends over for dinner, rather than go to a bar or the movies. Make it potluck so everyone participates, and rotate houses so the same person isn’t hosting all the time. Great idea!

Sommer at Green & Clean Mom reminds people that “Less Meat Means Less Money.” Generally, she reminds us, “veggies, rice and beans cost much less than meat products. In this economy, as fuel prices and food prices rise, we can expect meat to become an expensive habit. Reduce your meat consumption and save a little.”

Karen at EcoKaren offers a terrific list of “11 Things You Should Never Buy to Be Safe and Save Money.” For example, skip the pre-cut drumsticks and chicken breasts – a whole chicken is half the price. Chicken stock in a box? Not when you can make it yourself much more cheaply from the bones of that chicken you just cut up. As for canned tomatoes, many cans are lined with BPA, a toxic chemical linked to birth defects. Maybe it’s time to learn how to can or freeze tomatoes yourself?

Jen of Jen and Joey Go Green doesn’t shy away from the fact that sometimes, “eating healthy is going to cost you more than pre-packaged food. That is just the way the kale crumbles!” However, “pre-planning will help you spend less on healthy food than you would buying processed foods that are full of chemicals.” That sounds like a good trade to me!

Trina at O’Boy! Organic also focused on food, offering real food money saving tips that help her on a weekly basis.She says she’s able to keep her food bill down to $150 a week by planning her menus, using foods she already has, having at least one leftover night in the week, buying meat in bulk, and buying staple items online. Her links to the various shopping sites she uses are very helpful, too.

For a few more ways to save money buying food, here’s my list of Top Ten Organic Food Price Busters.As Stacy of Move The Market says, “If money is energy, I want to invest mine in creating the world I want to live in…As I’ve happily discovered, what’s best for my body and the planet is often best for my budget, too.” That is so true!

]]>http://www.biggreenpurse.com/go-green-save-money/feed/0UK Green Deal Helps Pay for Home Energy Insulationhttp://www.biggreenpurse.com/home-energy-insulation/
http://www.biggreenpurse.com/home-energy-insulation/#commentsFri, 07 Mar 2014 03:00:00 +0000http://diane.kcwebmakers.com/uk-green-deal-programs-to-help-homeowners-pay-for-insulation-save-money/Insulating your home is probably the most important step you can

Insulating your home is probably the most important step you can take to use less energy and save money on heating and cooling bills. The United Kingdom has created a series of financing programs to help homeowners afford home energy insulation that create a great model other communities and countries could follow. Even though there are still some kinks in the system, they’re worth examining. Here’s how two of them work, courtesy of Well Warm, a company that provides home energy insulation services.

Why Home Energy Insulation?

To do its part to stop climate change, the UK has set specific goals to reduce its carbon footprint, which is the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas are burned. The government is focusing on buildings because so many homes, apartment buildings, offices, and other structures are poorly insulated and have inefficient heating systems. In fact, in an average home, more than 40% of the heating energy escapes through the roof and walls. The idea is that helping to finance insulation will make homes and workplaces more comfortable and cheaper to heat, while reducing carbon emissions nationwide.

What are the programs?

There are two government initiatives: ECO, and Green Deal. Both are focused on providing financing, ECO as grants and Green Deal as loans, to help homeowners and building managers pay for energy-saving measures like insulation, improvements to heating systems, draft-proofing, double glazing windows, solar panels or heat pumps, or some combination thereof.

A homeowner or building manager uses either an online tool or a certified Green Deal assessor (like Well Warm) to determine what energy-saving improvements would be most beneficial. (Some assessors charge a fee; others do it for free.)

After the assessment, the homeowner receives a Green Deal advice report that contains an Energy Performance certificate that rates the home for energy efficiency. It recommends specific improvements and also details the amount of money that could be saved on annual energy bills if the recommended steps are taken. Based on the report, the homeowner can get a quote for the cost of the insulation and other actions. The Green Deal program then provides financing so the homeowner can borrow the money needed to pay for the insulation.

The loan plus whatever interest rate is set at the time is repaid through a charge added to the electricity bill. The payment for the insulation is meant to match the savings that will be made from former energy bills, so is intended to upgrade homes at no added cost to the customer. If the homeowner sells the home, the loan transfers with the property so it continues to be repaid through the utility bill. This interactive graphic produced by TheGuardian.com lets you click on different energy efficiency measures to get a sense of what the average savings by month/year could be by installing such measures.

How does ECO work?

ECO stands for Energy Company Obligation. This program is specifically designed to help homeowners on public assistance still be able to afford retrofits that will save them money by using less energy. It is not a loan program like Green Deal and does not need to be paid back. Funding is available for a range of energy saving measures, including heating and hot water systems and different types of insulation and glazing.

Do programs like Green Deal and ECO make a difference?

Anytime a building is insulated, that’s good! However, the Green Deal program in particular has a few kinks to work out before it reaches its potential. Many householders are reluctant to pay for the initial assessment if they can’t find a free assessor. The interest rate on the loan can be so high that it loses its appeal. Plus, many people still don’t understand the importance of reducing home energy demand or how they can take advantage of the program. Hopefully, Green Deal program mangers will figure out a more reasonable financing package and explain the program’s costs and benefits, as energy prices will only increase and the pollution impact of burning fossil fuels is never going to change.

]]>http://www.biggreenpurse.com/home-energy-insulation/feed/05 Ways to Use Less Gas and Save Moneyhttp://www.biggreenpurse.com/5-ways-to-use-less-gas-save-money/
http://www.biggreenpurse.com/5-ways-to-use-less-gas-save-money/#commentsFri, 13 Dec 2013 08:13:55 +0000http://diane.kcwebmakers.com/5-ways-to-drive-more-efficiently-and-save-money-use-less-gas/ As you shop around to find a fuel-efficient vehicle, you’ll notice different average mileage figures given for driving in the city and on a motorway. Yet there are many other reasons why a car’s mileage could vary. Fuel economy can fluctuate not only according to the car you drive, but also to how you drive […]

As you shop around to find a fuel-efficient vehicle, you’ll notice different average mileage figures given for driving in the city and on a motorway.

Yet there are many other reasons why a car’s mileage could vary. Fuel economy can fluctuate not only according to the car you drive, but also to how you drive it.

You might be driving a car that is supposed to achieve 50 mpg, but if you gun the accelerator and leave the engine idling, you won’t get anywhere near such mileage in real life.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind to help you maximize your car’s fuel economy. Don’t forget that fuel efficiency leads to big money savings at the gas pump.

1. Stick to the speed limit.

It’s a surprisingly common misconception that if you can reduce the length of your trip by driving faster, you’ll burn less fuel. In reality, you burn fuel at a more rapid pace when you exceed speeds of 65mph. Wind resistance increases at higher speeds, meaning your car has to work harder to keep up the pace. The most efficient speed you can travel is between 55 – 65mph, after which efficiency will rapidly decrease. Driving at a speed of 85mph would use 40% more fuel than if you drove at 70mph. When on the motorway, try using cruise control to maintain a safe and consistent speed.

2. Reduce your car’s weight.

Another way to boost efficiency is by reducing your car’s weight and drag. Remove extra roof racks if you’re not using them, because these increase wind resistance. Try to eliminate extra weight from inside the car, as well. If you’ve been carrying around spare luggage or packages in the backseat or trunk, it’s time to clear them out. You can save 1% on fuel for every 45kg/99lbs that you remove from the vehicle.

3. Avoid letting the engine run.

In the past, cars needed some time to warm up. However, modern cars no longer need to idle before you drive them. They are ready to drive as soon as the engine is started. As we recently wrote here, letting your car idle wastes energy, so avoid any unnecessary revving or idling. Another factor to consider is that it takes up to 8km/5miles before the engine will be running at the height of its efficiency, which is why short trips use more fuel per mile or kilometre than longer distances.

4. Limit use of air conditioning.

Using your heater won’t burn too much energy, but the air conditioning is a different story. If possible, try to keep windows open at lower speeds to keep your car cool and well-ventilated. However, at speeds over 40mph, it’s better to switch on the air conditioning because the drag from the windows will cause your car to use more fuel.

5. Anticipate the road ahead.

Boosting your efficiency as a driver is all about careful, slow movements. Drive as smoothly as you can, without sudden accelerating or braking. To do this, you’ll need to keep ample space in front of you and anticipate the road ahead. It’s helpful to use GPS, sat-nav or other electronic tools to monitor roads.

By taking the time to plan your journey and drive more mindfully, you can make a world of difference in how many miles per gallon you get. No matter what type of car you drive, you can improve its mileage, use less gas, and save money at the pump by making simple changes to the way you drive.

PHOTO CREDIT – Courtesy of a driver who uses many of the tips above to achieve incredible fuel efficiency with his vehicle, even though it is not a hybrid or plug-in!

NOTE: Underwriters of articles like these allow us to bring you expert content at no cost to you. All editorial opinions expressed are our own. Thanks!

]]>http://www.biggreenpurse.com/5-ways-to-use-less-gas-save-money/feed/0Earth Day or Any Day, Don’t Toss Your Cash With Your Trashhttp://www.biggreenpurse.com/earth-day-or-any-day-dont-toss-your-cash-with-your-trash/
http://www.biggreenpurse.com/earth-day-or-any-day-dont-toss-your-cash-with-your-trash/#commentsThu, 19 Apr 2012 06:59:40 +0000http://diane.kcwebmakers.com/earth-day-or-any-day-dont-toss-your-cash-with-your-trash/Aviva Goldfarb of The Six O'Clock Scramble fame shares her "Earth Day Every Day" suggestions for living greener in the kitchen that will save you money, too. "If I asked you to reach into your wallet and grab a couple of twenty dollar bills, and rip them up and throw them away, you’d probably think […]

]]>Aviva Goldfarb of The Six O'Clock Scramble fame shares her "Earth Day Every Day" suggestions for living greener in the kitchen that will save you money, too.

"If I asked you to reach into your wallet and grab a couple of twenty dollar bills, and rip them up and throw them away, you’d probably think I was crazy, right? But that’s essentially what most Americans are doing each and every week! According to an article in On Earth magazine, “Americans waste 30 – 40% of their food, or the equivalent of about two full meals a day.”

Think about those weeks that you buy food without having carefully planned your meals. Do you end up throwing away more flimsy produce, expired meats, or moldy cheese? There are high costs to wasting all this food, and they're not just economic. All this extra food has to be produced and transported before it’s eaten and even after it’s discarded, resulting in higher energy costs and emissions.

What to do?

I’ve found my family can vastly reduce waste and save hundreds of dollars each month by:

* planning ahead for meals and snacks before grocery shopping,

* grocery shopping just once a week,

* keeping a grocery list on the refrigerator for all family members to update during the week so I can stick to shopping just once a week, and

* using up as much leftover food as possible in a final meal or two before doing the weekly shopping.

Even if you do plan your meals and cook at home, you’re bound to have some waste. Last year my family started composting as a way to reuse some of our waste and reduce the amount of trash that has to be hauled from our curb.

While the thought of composting was a little intimidating, it turns out to be the easiest thing in the world! Each day I collect our fruit and vegetable rinds, peels and ends, along with any egg shells and coffee grounds, in a bowl on the kitchen counter. At the end of the day I dump the bowl’s contents into a large plastic kitty litter bin I keep under our kitchen sink. When the bin is full, we dump the contents in a pile in our back yard, rinse the bin with the hose, and start over. This summer we’ll use some of the compost to enrich our garden, but until then, we can feel good knowing that we reduced the amount of waste that is transported and takes up space in local landfills.

This month, let’s all commit to saving money and the environment by reducing our food waste. Please keep me posted on how your family has met or plans to meet this challenge by commenting on The Scramble Facebook page or via twitter(@thescramble) or by email at aviva@thescramble.com. I look forward to learning and sharing how much you save!"

Earth Day Bonus!

Between now and Earth Day (April 22), use the promo code EarthDay12 to get $5 off every subscription to The Six O'Clock Scramble weekly plan. As an added benefit, The Scramble will donate 5% of its Earth Day sales to the Natural Resources Defense Council. Subscribe to The Scramble here.

Aviva Goldfarb is a family dinner expert, mother of two and the author and founder of The Six O'Clock Scramble, an online dinner planning system and cookbook. Her most recent cookbook, “SOS! The Six O’Clock Scramble to the Rescue: Earth Friendly, Kid-Pleasing Meals for Busy Families” was named one of the best cookbooks of 2010 by the Washington Post . Aviva contributes weekly to the Kitchen Explorers blog on PBSparents.org, and often appears on television, radio, and in magazines such as O, The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, Working Mother, Kiwi, Every Day with Rachael Ray, and Prevention.You can sign up for her weekly newsletter at thescramble.com. For more information, contact Aviva@thescramble.com.

]]>http://www.biggreenpurse.com/earth-day-or-any-day-dont-toss-your-cash-with-your-trash/feed/7Are You Ready for Earth Day? Best Tips for Pets, Parties, Beauty & Your Budget!http://www.biggreenpurse.com/are-you-ready-for-earth-day-best-tips-for-pets-parties-beauty-your-budget/
http://www.biggreenpurse.com/are-you-ready-for-earth-day-best-tips-for-pets-parties-beauty-your-budget/#commentsMon, 16 Apr 2012 13:11:35 +0000http://diane.kcwebmakers.com/are-you-ready-for-earth-day-best-tips-for-pets-parties-beauty-your-budget/Happy Earth Day! To honor this day of environmental action and awareness, we’re highlighting some of our most popular Earth Day posts. We’d also love to hear how you’re celebrating this day devoted to Nature, the environment, and how we humans interact with both. Please share your suggestions and tips, and have a great day. […]

To honor this day of environmental action and awareness, we’re highlighting some of our most popular Earth Day posts. We’d also love to hear how you’re celebrating this day devoted to Nature, the environment, and how we humans interact with both. Please share your suggestions and tips, and have a great day.

One of the biggest obstacles to “going green” can be the perception that it’s too expensive. You may change your mind after you read these money-saving suggestions for ways to lead a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle without breaking the bank.

]]>http://www.biggreenpurse.com/are-you-ready-for-earth-day-best-tips-for-pets-parties-beauty-your-budget/feed/3Beat High Gas Prices Ten Smart Wayshttp://www.biggreenpurse.com/beat-high-gas-prices-ten-smart-ways/
http://www.biggreenpurse.com/beat-high-gas-prices-ten-smart-ways/#commentsFri, 02 Mar 2012 13:09:10 +0000http://diane.kcwebmakers.com/beat-high-gas-prices-ten-smart-ways/Can you really beat high gas prices? Definitely. But first, why are gas prices so high? Gas prices have close to $4 a gallon in some states, and are inching higher and higher in many others. You’re probably not surprised: you know that gasoline comes from oil, and oil is an unreliable source of fuel. […]

Definitely. But first, why are gas prices so high? Gas prices have close to $4 a gallon in some states, and are inching higher and higher in many others. You’re probably not surprised: you know that gasoline comes from oil, and oil is an unreliable source of fuel. Prices are volatile right now because the Middle East is so shaky, worldwide demand is rising, and some American refineries are not operating at full capacity.

But even when prices at the pump aren’t high, the environmental and human health “costs” we pay for burning gasoline are out of sight, considering the pollution and climate change it causes and the toll it takes on the air we breathe and the water we drink.

These tips will help you save money at the pump – because they’ll help you use less gas to meet your transportation needs.

1. Drive smart – Avoid quick starts and stops, use cruise control on the highway, and don’t idle.

2. Drive the speed limit – Remember – every 5 mph you drive above 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.10 per gallon for gas.

3. Drive less – Walk, bicycle, use a scooter or moped, combine trips, and telecommute.

4. Drive a more fuel-efficient car – Consider one of the new hybrids; at the very least, choose from among the EPA’s “Fuel Economy Leaders” in the class vehicle you’re considering.

5. Keep your engine tuned up – Improve gas mileage by an average of 4.1 percent by maintaining your vehicle in top condition.

6. Carpool – According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, 32 million gallons of gasoline would be saved each day if every car carried just one more passenger on its daily commute.

8. Keep tires properly inflated – Improve gas mileage by around 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Replace worn tires with the same make and model as the originals.

9. Buy the cheapest gas you can find – Buy gas in the morning, from wholesale shopper’s clubs, and using gas-company rebate cards. Track neighborhood prices on the Internet.

10. Support higher fuel-efficiency standards and the development of alternative fuels – Ultimately, our best hope for beating the gas crisis is to increase fuel efficiency while we transition to renewable and non-petroleum based fuels. Endorse efforts to boost average fuel efficiency to at least 40 mpg. Support programs that promote research and development of alternatives to transportation systems based on oil.